Springtime Plant Healthcare

Healthy Trees with New Urban Forestry

With the arrival of spring, rising temperatures and increased moisture create ideal conditions for harmful insects and tree diseases. Here are some tips to recognize and potentially avoid their presence in your landscape trees and shrubs.

Common Insects In the Athens Area:

Insects common to the Athens area include Bark Beetles, Aphids, Spider Mites and Lacebugs. Bark Beetles tend to inflict the most damage as large infestations can lead to death of trees. The most common Bark Beetles we see in the urban forest are Pine and Ambrosia Beetles. Pine beetles are aptly named as they attack Pines whereas Ambrosia Beetles are attracted to hardwoods like Oaks and Maples. These insects carry a blue stain fungus that helps to weaken and kill host trees which, in turn, become a food source in the end. Bark Beetle activity becomes obvious when frass or sawdust accumulates at the base of the trees as a result of their boring.

Aphids, Spider Mites and Lacebugs infestations are less serious in the short term as they typically don’t kill the trees and shrubs but instead reduce their vigor. Aphids, commonly found in Hackberries and Crape Myrtles, typically aren’t visible on the leaf surface as they tend to be high in the canopy. However, their leaf consumption becomes obvious through disgusting dark stains, which are actually droppings, in their understory As for Spider Mites and Lacebugs, their activity results in dull, speckled leaves along with silky webbing and dots which mark their living space.  

Phytophthora Canker; A Serious Tree Disease

Phytophthora canker is a severe disease caused by soil-borne fungus-like organisms characterized by oozing, dark lesions on tree trunks and branches. This condition emerges as a result of poorly drained and oversaturated soil that’s high in organic matter. Phytophthora canker kills the vascular tissue, causes decline and oftentimes leads to the death of its host. A wide range of trees and shrubs are affected, including Oaks, Maples, fruit trees and ornamental shrubs. The oozing lesions are also attractive to bark beetles and the combination of stress associated with the disease and the consumption of bark beetles can result in prompt death.  

Tree Care; The Best Defense

A tree’s best defense against pests and disease is its own health and that’s where New Urban Forestry can help!  Trees in the urban forest often lack essential nutrients in the soil due, the removal of leaves in the landscape and soil compaction. Through our Soil Care Program, we can help to reverse the effects by introducing essential micro and macro nutrients, which in turn improves trees immunity. Also, trees that are undergoing an insect infestation can benefit from the release of our beneficial insects, which work to ward off their presence.

NUF would like to partner with you to improve the health of the trees and shrubs in your own urban forest. By calling us today, you will take the first step in ensuring that your trees will remain for future generations to enjoy. As always, Life is Better With Trees and Trees are better with us!